If you’ve ever been treated for severe pain from surgery, an injury, or an illness, you know just how vital pain relief medications can be.

Pain relief treatments come in many forms and potencies, are available by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC), and treat all sorts of physical pain— including that brought on by chronic conditions, sudden trauma, and cancer.

Pain relief medicines (also known as “analgesics” and “painkillers”) are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some analgesics, including opioid analgesics, act on the body’s peripheral and central nervous systems to block or decrease sensitivity to pain. Others act by inhibiting the formation of certain chemicals in the body.

Among the factors health care professionals consider in recommending or prescribing them are the cause and severity of the pain.

TYPES OF PAIN RELIEVERS

OTC Medications
These relieve the minor aches and pains associated with conditions such as headaches, fever, colds, flu, arthritis, toothaches, and menstrual cramps.

There are basically two types of OTC pain relievers: acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Acetaminophen is an active ingredient found in more than 600 OTC and prescription medicines, including pain relievers, cough suppressants, and cold medications.

NSAIDs are common medications used to relieve fever and minor aches and pains. They include aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, as well as many medicines taken for colds, sinus pressure, and allergies. They act by inhibiting an enzyme that helps make a specific chemical.

Prescription Medications
Typical prescription pain relief medicines include opioids and non-opioid medications.

Derived from opium, opioid drugs are very powerful products. They act by attaching to a specific “receptor” in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. Opioids can change the way a person experiences pain.

Types of prescription opioid medications include

• morphine, which is often used before and after surgical procedures to alleviate severe pain
• oxycodone, which is also often prescribed for moderate to severe pain
• codeine, which comes in combination with acetaminophen or other non-opioid pain relief medications and is often prescribed for mild to moderate pain
• hydrocodone, which comes in combination with acetaminophen or other non-opioid pain relief medications and is prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pain

FDA has recently notified makers of certain opioid drugs that these products will need to have a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) to ensure that the benefits continue to outweigh the risks.

Affected opioid drugs, which include brand name and generic products, are formulated with the active ingredients fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone.

FDA has authority to require a REMS under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007.

Types of non-opioid prescription medications include ibuprofen and diclofenac, which treat mild to moderate pain.

USE PAIN RELIEVERS AS DIRECTED

Pain medications are safe and effective when used as directed. However, misuse of these products can be extremely harmful and even deadly.

Consumers who take pain relief medications must follow their health care professional’s instructions carefully. If a measuring tool is provided with your medicine, use it as directed.

Do not change the dose of your pain relief medication without talking to your doctor first.

Also, pain medications should never be shared with anyone else. Only your health care professional can decide if a prescription pain medication is safe for someone.

Here are other key points to remember.

With acetaminophen:

• Taking a higher dose than recommended will not provide more relief and can be dangerous.
• Too much can lead to liver damage and death. Risk for liver damage may be increased in people who drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day while using acetaminophen-containing medicines.
• Be cautious when giving acetaminophen to children. Infant drop medications can be significantly stronger than regular children’s medications. Read and follow the directions on the label every time you use a medicine. Be sure that your infant is getting the infants’ pain formula and your older child is getting the children’s pain formula.

With NSAIDs:

• Too much can cause stomach bleeding. This risk increases in people who are over 60 years of age, are taking prescription blood thinners, are taking steroids, have a history of stomach bleeding or ulcers, and/or have other bleeding problems.
• Use of NSAIDs can also cause reversible kidney damage. This risk may increase in people who are over 60 years of age, are taking a diuretic (a drug that increases the excretion of urine), have high blood pressure, heart disease, or pre-existing kidney disease.

With opioids:

• Use of opioids can lead to drowsiness. Do not drive or use any machinery that may injure you, especially when you first start the medication.
• The dose of an opioid pain medication that is safe for you could be high enough to cause an overdose and death in someone else, especially children.

KNOW THE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

A specific area of concern with OTC pain medicines is when products sold for different uses have the same active ingredient. A cold and cough remedy may have the same active ingredient as a headache remedy or a prescription pain reliever.

To minimize the risks of an accidental overdose, consumers should avoid taking multiple medications with the same active ingredient at the same time.

All OTC medicines must have all of their active ingredients listed on the package. For prescription drugs, the active ingredients are listed on the container label.

Talk with your pharmacist or another health care professional if you have questions about using OTC medicines, and especially before using them in combination with dietary supplements or other OTC or prescription medicines.

MISUSE AND ABUSE
Misuse and abuse of pain medications can be extremely dangerous. This is especially so in regard to opioids. These medications should be stored in a place where they cannot be stolen.

According to the National Institutes of Health, studies have shown that properly managed medical use of opioid analgesic compounds (taken exactly as prescribed) is safe, can manage pain effectively, and rarely causes addiction.

But the abuse of opioids is a significant public safety concern. Abusers ingest these drugs orally, and also crush the pills in order to snort or inject them.

Commonly abused opioid pain medicines include prescription drugs such as codeine, and the brand-name products Oxycontin (oxycodone), Vicodin (hydrocodone with acetaminophen), and Demerol (meperidine).

Addiction is just one serious danger of opioid abuse. A number of overdose deaths have resulted from snorting and injecting opioids, particularly the drug OxyContin, which was designed to be a slow-release formulation.

USE OPIOIDS SAFELY:  3 KEY STEPS

1. Keep your doctor informed. Inform your health care professional about any past history of substance abuse. All patients treated with opioids for pain require careful monitoring by their health care professional for signs of abuse and addiction, and to determine when these analgesics are no longer needed.
2. Follow directions carefully. Opioids are associated with significant side effects, including drowsiness, constipation, and depressed breathing depending on the amount taken. Taking too much could cause severe respiratory depression or death. Do not crush or break pills. This can alter the rate at which the medication is absorbed and lead to overdose and death.
3. Reduce the risk of drug interactions. Don’t mix opioids with alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines. All of these substances slow breathing and their combined effects could lead to life-threatening respiratory depression.

This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.

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Tags: acetaminophen, aches, allergies, arthritis, brand-name products, cancer, chemical, chemicals, constipation, cough, cramps, dietary supplements, drowsiness, fever, food and drug administration, generic products, headache, headaches, heart disease, high blood pressure, ibuprofen, kidney disease, machinery, OTC, OxyContin, pain, pains, peripheral and central nervous systems, pharmacist, respiratory depression, surgery, toothaches, www.fda.gov/consumer, www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html

The vitamin B-complex refers to all of the known essential water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin C. These include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin, folic acid and the cobalamins (vitamin B12).

Where do B Vitamins Come from?

“Vitamin B” was once thought to be a single nutrient that existed in extracts of rice, liver, or yeast. Researchers later discovered these extracts contained several vitamins, which were given distinguishing numbers. Unfortunately, this has led to an erroneous belief among non-scientists that these vitamins have a special relationship to each other. Further adding to confusion has been the “unofficial” designation of other substances as members of the B-complex, such as choline, inositol, and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), even though they are not essential vitamins. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: boost energy, control food cravings, energy production, folic acid, multivitamin-mineral products, pharmacist

Here is more info from my local pharmacy about Cholesterol, its types and preventing high levels of bad cholesterol.

Cholesterol is bad. Right? No!

A high total cholesterol level is bad. A high level of LDL cholesterol is bad. Cholesterol itself is necessary for good health. And HDL cholesterol is actually good for us.

We couldn’t live without any cholesterol at all, because this waxy material is used to form cells and produce hormones. About 80% of the cholesterol in our bodies is manufactured by our liver. The other 20% comes from the food we eat. As long as we have the right amount of cholesterol in the right balance, we’re okay. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: amputation, angina, bad cholesterol, chest pain, cholesterol, cholesterol level, coronary artery disease, diabetes, exercise, food, food groups, grain products, Heart and Stroke Foundation, heart attack, heart disease, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, levels of stress, lower-fat dairy products, milk products, natural remedies, pharmacist, stroke, vascular disease

I found this information at my local pharmacy and realized that many people that read my blog may have Diabetes , or know people with Diabetes. It makes a nice introduction for people that are unaware of the disease.
Our body gets the energy it needs from turning food into a type of sugar called glucose, which requires the hormone insulin. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces properly, glucose builds up in the blood, affecting many processes throughout the body. This inability to store and convert food into energy properly is what we call diabetes.

There are three main forms of the condition: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: acanthosis nigricans, convert food, diabetes, Diabetes Treatment, dietitian, energy, family member, fatigue, food, gestational diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, insulin injections, numbness, or diabetes educator, pharmacist, polycystic ovary syndrome, recurring infections, schizophrenia, unconsciousness

Osteoarthritis is a problem that many people suffer from and it can cause a lot of discomfort and in fact can lower your quality of life becasue you are stopped from doing many of the activites that you would like to do.

Osteoarthritis medications can ease the pain. The most common type of medication doctors recommend reduce swelling as well as pain. As a group, these drugs are called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Examples of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are ASA, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These drugs give relief, but they do not cure the disease or stop it from getting worse. If used for a long time, NSAIDs can cause stomach problems, such as ulcers or bleeding. Acetaminophen relieves pain without causing stomach problems, but it does not reduce inflammation.

Steroid medications can be injected directly into the joint with a small needle to reduce inflammation and pain, but are usually not a permanent solution. Artificial joint fluid can be injected into joints to help relieve pain and make movement easier.

Many people take herbal remedies and supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, devil’s claw, and antioxidants. Because supplements have the potential to interact with other medications or to have an effect on other health conditions, it is important to discuss any supplements you are considering with your doctor or pharmacist.

Heat and cold treatments can help reduce pain. So can mild exercise. Splints and braces can be used to support weak joints, but they should be used only if recommended by your doctor, because incorrect use of a brace can cause joint damage. In severe cases of osteoarthritis, surgery may be recommended to replace or repair the damaged joint.

Tags: acetaminophen, antioxidants, chondroitin, glucosamine, Herbal Remedies, ibuprofen, inflammation, joints, mild exercise, naproxen, nsaids, osteoarthritis, pain, pharmacist, reduce swelling, relieve pain, steroid medications, surgery, treatment of osteoarthritis

Treatments are aimed at reducing the symptoms of menopause and preventing the development of long-term health problems that can result from reduced estrogen levels. There are several options a doctor can consider when deciding which type of treatment is right for each patient.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT replaces the hormones that a woman’s body no longer makes. The most important hormone used in reducing menopausal symptoms is estrogen, but taking estrogen alone can increase a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). This isn’t a problem in women who have had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), but in women who still have a uterus estrogen is usually combined with another hormone, progestin, to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. But even combination HRT can have serious side effects, and the decision about whether to go on this treatment is one each woman must make for herself after discussing it with her doctor.

Bisphosphonates: These drugs are used to help prevent and treat osteoporosis that may result from reduced hormone levels. While they are not quite as effective as estrogen, they are not hormonal and, therefore, don’t carry the same risks as HRT. However, it is important to remember that every drug carries some risk.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs):

These drugs have some of the benefits of estrogen, including improving bone strength, without some of the risk that estrogen has. However, SERMs tend to cause more hot flashes and may increase the risk of gallstones or blood clots.

Complementary and alternative therapies (CAM):

Some women going through peri menopause may find relief from their symptoms from CAM therapies, including dietary and herbal supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, massage therapy, biofeedback, homeopathy, and naturopathy. It is important to remember that not all complementary and alternative therapies have been studied scientifically, and some may have negative effects on other conditions you may have. Before you decide to try one of these therapies, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that what you are planning is safe for you.

Helping Yourself

In addition to taking medication, there are ways you can help reduce your symptoms.

To ease hot flashes:

• Dress in layers so you can remove some clothing when you begin to feel warm.

• Avoid foods and beverages known to trigger hot flashes, such as alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, and sugar.
• Practice stress management techniques.
• Exercise to improve your circulation.

To reduce vaginal dryness

• Ask your pharmacist to recommend a vaginal lubricant.

• If over-the-counter products don’t work, talk to your doctor about the prescription products that are available.

To reduce the risk of osteoporosis

• Get enough calcium and vitamin D. If you aren’t sure you are getting enough of these nutrients from the foods you eat, ask your pharmacist about supplements.

• Exercise regularly; weight-bearing exercises (such as walking) are best for strengthening bones.

• Ask your doctor if you should have a bone density test.

• To reduce the ris.k of heart disease:

• Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly.

• Eat a nutritious, heart -healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats and high in fibre.

• Be active. Check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program to make sure the activity you have chosen is appropriate for your overall physical condition.

If you have any questions about menopause or ways to lessen the symptoms and reduce your risk of developing heart disease or osteoporosis, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tags: acupuncture, alternative therapies, biofeedback, bisphosphonates, cancer, chiropractic, endometrial cancer, estrogen_levels, gallstones, heart disease, homeopathy, Hormone replacement therapy, hormone_progestin, HRT, hysterectomy, massage therapy, menopausal_symptoms, naturopathy, osteoporosis, over-the-counter products, peri_menopause, pharmacist, prescription products, spicy food, Vitamin D

There is a lot of confusion surrounding menopause. The term “menopause” actually refers to the point in time when a woman hasn’t had a menstrual period in 12 consecutive months. However, many women refer to the process that leads up to their last period as “going through menopause.” Medically, that process is called perimenopause.

During perimenopause, a woman’s ovaries gradually reduce the amount of estrogen they produce, which causes menstrual periods to become irregular and, eventually, to stop. Some women have their ovaries removed surgically, creating a condition known as surgical menopause, which eliminates perimenopause and results in an abrupt stop in menstrual periods.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

A few lucky women (about 15%) have no symptoms other than irregular menstrual periods. Most women, though, have at least some symptoms. Generally, the symptoms fade over time and disappear completely once a woman reaches the point of menopause. The most common symptoms include:

• Hot flashes: These sudden changes in body temperature arrive without warning, are often accompanied by heavy sweating, and generally last a few minutes. When they occur during sleep, they are called night sweats, and they can be severe enough to awaken some women and make it impossible for them to get a good night’s rest.

• Vaginal changes: Dryness, itching, and irritation sometimes occur and may interfere with sexual intercourse. Your pharmacist can help you select products to minimize these symptoms.

• Urinary tract problems: Some women become more likely to develop infections or bladder control problems. There are treatments a doctor can prescribe to treat these conditions.

• Other physical changes: Some women experience palpitations, mild dizziness, tingling sensations, fatigue, restlessness, constipation, or aching bones. Others gain weight or find that their breasts become smaller.

• Emotional changes: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, memory loss, and other emotional symptoms can result from changing hormone levels, lack of sleep (often the result of night sweats), or a variety of other factors.

Some of the changes that take place during peri menopause have a permanent effect on a woman’s health. For example:

• Heart: The loss of estrogen raises the level of LDL (”bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides in a woman’s blood, increasing her risk of developing heart problems.

• Bones: As the level of estrogen in a woman’s body declines, her bones may become weaker and brittle, increasing her risk of developing osteoporosis.

• Sex organs: The wall of the vagina may become thinner and drier, making intercourse painful and increasing the risk of infection, and her breasts may become smaller and sag.

• Skin: Because the skin is likely to become drier and lose its elasticity, it may lose its youthful appearance

Tags: constipation, dizziness, emotional_changes, fatigue, hot_flashes, irregular_menstrual_periods, irritation, itching, last_period, memory loss, menstrual_period, night_sweats, osteoporosis, perimenopause, pharmacist, restlessness, symptoms_of_menopause

The usual first step in treating Erectile Dysfunction is to check whether the problem is the result of a medication side effect. If so, there may be a different drug that can be prescribed that won’t result in Erectile Dysfunction. Psychotherapy and behaviour modification may be considered next in some people. If these measures are not enough to resolve the problem, there are some medications that can be prescribed.

Medications are not the only treatment choices for men seeking help for Erectile Dysfunction. One option is a mechanical vacuum device that causes an erection by creating a partial vacuum that draws blood into the penis. These devices have three components: a plastic cylinder the man places his penis in, a pump that draws air out of the cylinder to create the vacuum that pulls blood into the penis, and an elastic band that is placed around the base of the erect penis before it is withdrawn from the cylinder. The band keeps the blood from leaving the penis, allowing the man to maintain the erection.

In some cases, surgery is an option. One type of surgery reconstructs arteries in men whose blood flow to the area has been affected; another blocks off veins that allow blood to leak out of the penis. There is also an operation in which a device is implanted into the penis that enables it to become erect.

Each treatment method has its own risks and benefits, and a man needs to discuss his options with his doctor in order to select the method that is right for him. It is also important to let the doctor know how well the treatment is working, because if one treatment doesn’t work, another might. A man should never try combining medicines or changing dosages on his own. Only a doctor can determine what is a safe level of treatment.

Some men find that some simple lifestyle changes ease the problem. It may help to get more sleep, quit smoking, exercise regularly, find ways to reduce stress, and speak with a doctor if anxiety or depression are a problem. Some men and their partners recognize that sex doesn’t have to mean just intercourse. A pleasurable sexual encounter can involve a variety of different activities.

However a man chooses to face the situation, it is important for him to discuss the issue openly and honestly with his partner, because the partner may mistakenly interpret an inability to have an erection as a loss of desire or attraction. Simply reassuring his partner that the love and desire are still there can be very helpful in addressing some of the emotional issues that surround Erectile Dysfunction.

If you have any questions about erectile dysfunction, you can ask your pharmacist, who will keep your conversation strictly confidential.

Tags: depression, ed, erectile-dysfunction, erections, hormone_levels, mechanical vacuum device, orgasm, pharmacist, Psychotherapy, sexual_history, surgery

Causes of Respiratory Allergies

Doctors don’t know for sure why some people get allergies or allergic asthma. However, they have identified some factors that make a person more likely to develop these conditions:
• Family history-the tendency to develop allergies may be inherited
• Exposure to air pollution
• Being exposed to certain substances in the workplace
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Having certain health conditions, such as respiratory infections during childhood or being overweight

Diagnosing Allergies
Some allergies are easy to identify, because there is an obvious pattern of symptoms following exposure to certain substances. For example, if a person always sneezes around cats, that points to an allergy to cats. Someone who gets a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes every spring may be allergic to pollen.

A visit to the doctor’s office for a physical exam¬ination is important. When the allergy trigger is not obvious, the doctor may recommend a specialist called an allergist who will likely do a series of skin tests to identify the allergens that are causing the problem.

Treating Allergies

Avoiding the allergen is the best way to prevent an allergy attack, but this isn’t always possible. Someone who is allergic to pollen, for example, can’t hide in a closet during allergy season. However, there are some steps people can take to reduce their exposure to allergens. If pet dander is the trigger, it will help to limit the areas of the home that family pets are allowed to be in. If dust is the problem, regular cleaning will help to keep it from accumulating. Avoiding damp areas will help if mould is the culprit.

Medications can help ease the symptoms. Some can be bought over-the-counter; others require a prescription. Allergy medicines fall into several different categories:
• antihistamines
• decongestants
• corticosteroids
• bronchodilators
• mast cell stabilizers
• leukotriene modifiers

When medications don’t provide enough relief, a doctor may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) to reduce sensitivity to the allergy triggers.

Not every treatment is right for all allergy sufferers, so it is very important to discuss possible treatments with your doctor.

Anaphylactic Shock

Sometimes the sensitivity to an allergen is so extreme that the body goes into anaphylactic shock (also known as anaphylaxis). This is a sudden, severe allergic reaction that affects various systems in the body. The result is:

• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, throat, lips, and tongue
• rapid drop in blood pressure
• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness
• unconsciousness.

If it is not treated rapidly, it may lead to death. Anaphylaxis can happen within seconds of being exposed to a triggering substance, or it might happen up to two hours later. Among the most common causes of anaphylaxis are peanuts, seafood, and insect stings.

Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment. People who know they have severe reactions should carry medication (epinephrine) with them at all times. The medication comes in a small syringe that may look like a pen, and it must be injected. Highly allergic people, their family members, and their friends should know how to give the injection in an emergency. This knowledge could save a life. Medical treatment is important even after the shot is given, because a single injection is not always enough.

Your pharmacist will be happy to answer any questions you have about allergies or allergy treatments and to help you select products to ease your family’s symptoms.

Tags: air_pollution, allergic reaction, allergies, allergy, allergy_attack, allergy_medicines, allergy_season, anaphylactic shock, anaphylaxis, Asthma, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, dizziness, epinephrine, family_pets, immunotherapy, itchy_watery_eyes, nausea, pet_dander, pharmacist, respiratory infections, respiratory_allergies, sneezes, unconsciousness, vomiting

People with allergies are super-sensitive to things that most people find harmless, including pollen from plants, mould, dust, cockroaches, pet dander (tiny skin flakes), and food.

When a super-sensitive person comes in contact with the substance that causes the allergy (called an allergen), the immune system overreacts and releases a large amount of a chemical called histamine. Large amounts of histamine cause tissue swelling (inflammation) and tightening (constriction) of muscles and other tissues, including those in the breathing passages.

Allergies can affect many different parts of the body. For example, some allergies affect only the skin; others affect more than one body system. Respiratory allergies are those that affect the organs and airways that help us breathe.

Symptoms
Not all people with respiratory allergies are allergic to the same things. One person’s allergies may be triggered by pollen, while someone else may react to dust. However, most people who suffer from respiratory allergies share the same symptoms, which may include:
•    itchiness
•    watery or red eyes
•    coughing
•    sneezing
•    stuffiness in the nose

More serious symptoms may include shortness of breath or wheezing. In severe cases, the airways may become so constricted and swollen that breathing becomes difficult or impossible. This is a serious condition called anaphylactic shock, and it requires immediate medical attention.
Common Allergies that Affect the Respiratory System

•    Hay fever (allergic rhinitis): According to The Canadian Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Foundation, hay fever affects 20% to 25% of Canadians. It can be seasonal, if it is caused by the pollens of grasses and flowers, or chronic (long-term), if it is triggered by things such as dust, animal dander, or mould.

•    Food and drug allergies: Eating fish or shellfish may cause allergic reactions such as stomach upset or skin reactions, or it may cause severe breathing problems. Some other foods such as peanuts, milk, and eggs may also cause this type of reaction. Medications, too, can cause allergic reactions. It is important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies and are taking any medicines.

•    Insect allergies: Cockroaches can be a major household allergen, especially in densely populated city areas. This may be why there is a higher rate of breathing problems among children who live in inner cities. Bee stings can cause severe, life-threatening reactions in people who are allergic to them.

•    Allergic asthma: Asthma is one of the fastest growing diseases in this country, affecting between 15% and 20% of all Canadians. It is the leading cause of hospital admissions in children. Most of the cases of moderate to severe asthma are linked to allergies.

Tags: allergic reactions, allergic rhinitis, allergies, allergy, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic_shock, and Immunology Foundation, animal_dander, Asthma, breathing_passages, Canadian Allergy, chemical called histamine, drug allergies, food, Hay fever, hay_fever, histamine, inflammation, itchiness, mould, pet_dander, pharmacist, pollen, respiratory_allergies, shortness of breath, stomach upset, wheezing